Council Calls for Speedy Action on German Indemnity Law Amendment

West Germany’s latest amendment to the Federal Indemnification Law, which will compensate emigres for financial losses suffered when they transferred funds abroad under the Hitler regime, was warmly welcomed here today at a meeting of the Council for the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Jews from Germany.

Expressing satisfaction with the new amendment, the Council session, attended by delegates from the United States, Israel, Britain and Belgium, warned, however, that speedy implementation of the new law and improvement of payment processes must be effected if the amendment is to accomplish its aim of meeting long-standing claims by Jews who had to flee Germany between 1933 and 1939.

“Many of the demands have been met by the new amendment,” the Council declared. “But not all of the justified claims of persecutees under the Nazi regime have as yet been complied with.”

“The Council now expects that considerably increased funds will be made available by the Federal government of Germany and its states,” the statement continued. “However, to avoid intolerable delays in the compensation machinery, it is necessary to augment the legal and clerical staffs working in the indemnification offices and in the courts.

“Claims which were filed years ago must be ruled on without delay. Furthermore, through speedy payments and substantial advance sums, it would be possible to alleviate the hardships of many claimants, especially the old and infirm. If such speed is not implemented, it is feared that many of these old and infirm claimants may not live long enough to receive the monies due them.”